Today is Earth Day!
We have some good news and some bad news.
First, the bad news: Even on Earth Day, stray dogs and cats are being brutally poisoned to death due to the stray overpopulation crisis ...
Because it is cheap and can be easily hidden in food, poison is the number-one most commonly used method to kill stray dogs and cats.
In India, a 24-year-old man poisoned at least 20 dogs because they were “making a mess” around his shop.
Neighbors began to notice the bodies of dead dogs piling up …
… including the body of Champi, a beloved dog of one of the other shop owners.
This is just one of countless stories of stray dogs and cats poisoned due to overpopulation.
Poison is a slow and painful death for strays.
Innocent dogs and cats whose lives are taken away … just for being born in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
The poison is also horrible for the planet.
In many places, poison is spread around on the streets and open fields. It's dangerous for children and pollutes the water and land.
Ironically, one of the reasons why governments use poison to kill stray dogs and cats is to protect other types of animals. For example, stray cats are poisoned because they kill birds for survival.
So, when an area has a lot of stray cats, and also a decline in the number of wild birds, stray cats often get the blame. But there are other causes – such as the bulldozing of forests to build more roads and houses for more and more people.
Here's the good news! This Earth Day, you can help stray animals and also help protect our planet.
Please support our nonprofit science-centered mission: to significantly reduce animal suffering on a global scale by developing a safe, edible, one-dose, permanent-lasting birth control Cookie for stray dogs and cats.
Together, let’s work towards a better future for all earthlings!
Beyond poison: Protecting Animals this Earth Day
The climate crisis is impacting our furry, feathered, and scaly friends in many other ways beyond human-made poison.
97% of scientists agree that the climate is changing as a result of human activity.
Extreme weather events have become much more common, which is causing a lot of harm to stray dogs and cats. More than 400 scientific studies have found dangerous recent trends, such as the fires in the U.S., heatwaves in Pakistan, typhoons in Asia, and more. Extreme weather incidents have become increasingly dangerous and common due to the climate crisis.
Rising temperatures
One of the most obvious impacts of climate change is rising temperatures. According to scientific government data, the 10 warmest years in historical record have all occurred since 2010.
As the planet heats up, it is becoming more difficult for stray animals to find cool and shaded areas to rest. This is especially true in urban areas, where there is little greenery to provide relief from the heat. As a result, many stray dogs and cats are suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration.
In India, dogs dying of heatstroke is becoming tragically common.
An animal shelter in India reported seeing a surge in animals suffering from heatstroke: “Our staffers at Dhapa dog pound have been receiving calls from across the city with a request to save strays who have been behaving abnormally or falling sick all of the sudden unable to bear the rise in temperature. We are trying to respond within our limited capacity,” an official told a local paper.
Heatstroke happens when an animal's body temperature rises to a dangerous level, which can cause damage to vital organs and even be fatal if left untreated. Stray animals are particularly at risk of heatstroke because they often have no access to shade or water, and are forced to endure the scorching heat for extended periods of time.
The climate crisis and access to food
In addition to the immediate impact of hot temperatures on the animals themselves, rising temperatures are also affecting their food sources.
Many animals rely on a specific food chain, which is being disrupted as temperatures rise. For example, warmer temperatures can lead to an increase in pests like fleas and ticks, which can spread diseases to both humans and animals. This can lead to a decrease in the population of prey animals like rodents and insects, meaning stray animals may struggle even more to find food.
Increased disease transmission
Another impact of climate change on stray animals is the increase in disease transmission. As temperatures rise, disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes and ticks thrive, leading to an increase in the transmission of diseases such as Lyme disease and heartworm. These diseases can be particularly devastating for stray animals who have no access to medical treatment and are often left to suffer.
Extreme weather events
Climate change is also leading to an increase in extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. These events can have a devastating impact on stray animals. For example, floods can wash away their homes and food sources, leaving them without shelter or food. Hurricanes and wildfires can force animals to flee their homes, leaving them exposed to danger and without a safe place to go.
In many cases, stray animals are more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events than domesticated animals. While beloved family pets are usually rescued by their human family members, stray dogs and cats are not so lucky. They may not have access to the same resources, such as shelter, food, and water.
Protecting Animals on Earth Day and every day!
600 Million Dogs has a unique science-centered mission is to significantly reduce animal suffering on a global scale by developing a safe, edible, one-dose, permanent-lasting birth control Cookie for stray dogs and cats.
The time to act is now! Let’s work to create a better future for Earth’s inhabitants!